Rain Brings Relief to Drought-Weary Victorian Farmers, But Spells Disaster for Fruit and Almond Growers
- Heavy autumn rain brings relief to Victorian farmers after years of drought, but causes chaos for fruit and almond growers
- Fruit and almond harvests threatened by rain, with growers battling rot and flooding
- Farmers welcome rain, but timing couldn’t be worse for some, with harvest season in full swing
The recent downpour in Victoria has brought a mix of emotions to the state’s farmers. While many are celebrating the much-needed rain, others are facing disaster as their fruit and almond harvests are threatened by the wet weather. The autumn rain has brought relief to drought-weary farmers, but the timing couldn’t be worse for some, with harvest season in full swing.
The rain has been a godsend for livestock farmers, who have endured years of dry conditions. Stuart Pendergast, a north-east Victorian livestock producer, said the rain has been a “confidence-inspiring” boost for the industry. “No-one’s complaining, we love the rain,” he said. “It’s a really nice problem to have wet boggy yards.”
The rain has also been a welcome sight for grain growers, who have been struggling to keep their crops alive. Russell Heard, a grain grower from the southern Wimmera, said he was thrilled to receive 67mm of rain. “We’ve had some rain in recent weeks and this downpour, and it’s been very unexpected,” he said. “It’s good moisture to bank in the soil for this coming crop we’re going into in 2026.”
However, the rain has caused chaos for fruit and almond growers, who are battling to save their crops from rot and flooding. Dried fruit growers around Mildura are monitoring their grapes for rot, after 150mm of rain fell in the area. “It’s certainly not what we want, not by a long way,” said Pomona grower and Dried Fruits Australia chair Mark King. “It will actually split the grapes and once they start to split they’ll go rotten.”
The rain has also halted the almond harvest in the Sunraysia and the Riverland, in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. Australian Almond Board chief executive Tim Jackson said the harvest had “barely” started there. “Once the excess water has dissipated, the next steps will involve drying out the in-form volumes that have been most affected by the rain,” he said.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The impact of the rain on Victoria’s farmers will be felt across the country. Security analysts say the rain could lead to a boost in food production, but it also raises concerns about the country’s food security. With fruit and almond harvests threatened, there are fears about the availability of fresh produce in the coming months. Law enforcement insiders warn that the rain could also lead to an increase in food prices, as growers struggle to recover from the losses.
Industry observers believe that the rain will have a significant impact on the Australian economy, particularly in rural areas. The rain will also have a flow-on effect on the country’s water supply, with many farmers relying on rainwater to irrigate their crops. As the country continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, the rain serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in sustainable farming practices.